Community leadership series

A webinar series

This series of eight, free webinars can help you refresh your leadership and civic engagement skills, deepen your understanding of challenging topics and connect with other leaders. These webinars were held live in 2018. See below for session information and how to watch them on-demand.

Past webinars

Find below information about past webinars and links to view them on-demand.

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When we turn on the TV or radio, or open our social media pages, we see and hear headlines rampant with anger and blame. Instead of continuing this type of conversation how can we spread compassion? Is there a way that we can cultivate empathy and gratitude in our communities and with each other? How can we learn from other cultures and practice sharing compassion with our new community members?

Join leadership and civic engagement educators, Lori Rothstein and Denise Stromme, to discover how compassion is vital to communities around the world. During this free, 90-minute webinar you will explore what compassion is for you, identify compassionate workplaces and organizations, and name the key ingredients for cultivating compassion.

The session will include a self-assessment on compassion and social empathy to deepen your understanding. Come learn for yourself and for your communities.

Presenter(s)

Lori Rothstein
Educator
University of Minnesota Extension

Denise Stromme
Educator
University of Minnesota Extension

Available on-demand

This webinar is available on-demand. Although you do not need to register, we appreciate you filling out the short evaluation form. View it using the below button.

Minnesota communities are rapidly diversifying. Every community member has a role to play in what happens next. So how can we improve our thinking, especially when it comes to issues of race?

This webinar breaks down the key elements of critical thinking to examine some of the basic concepts and misconceptions about race and Minnesota communities. It's a great start for people starting to explore the impact of race in their life and to explore the questions you've long wondered about race.

Presenter(s)

Eriks Dunens

Fernando Burga
Assistant professor
University of Minnesota's Humphrey School of Public Affairs

Available on-demand

This webinar is available on-demand. Although you do not need to register, we appreciate you filling out the short evaluation form. View it using the below button.

In today's fast-paced world, effective communication with others can be a challenge. Understanding what style you prefer as well as how others want to communicate adds a new level of complexity to the way we work and meet.

Leaders must be creative in how they engage others, keep work moving forward, and help others to grow from their experiences. How do you do it all?

Join Christy Kallevig, Extension educator, as we explore ways to help leaders communicate with others in and out of meetings. We will also discuss ways providing feedback can focus on future development rather than past performance.

Presenter(s)

Christy Kallevig
Educator
University of Minnesota Extension

Available on-demand

This webinar is available on-demand. Although you do not need to register, we appreciate you filling out the short evaluation form. View it using the below button.

Creating community or institutional change is long, hard work. Rarely is it ever addressed successfully by a single person. Join Fernando Burga, assistant professor at University of Minnesota's Humphrey School of Public Affairs, and Eriks Dunens, statewide Extension educator for leadership and civic engagement, as they share what the research suggests about building alliances to achieve the impacts we wish to have.

Focusing on racial equity, the presenters will explore the benefits and challenges that are inherent in building alliances within this context. The session examines questions such as "How can we cultivate allies?," "What makes for an effective ally?," and "What do I do when allies aren't helping?"

Presenter(s)

Eriks Dunens

Fernando Burga
Assistant professor
University of Minnesota's Humphrey School of Public Affairs

Available on-demand

This webinar is available on-demand. Although you do not need to register, we appreciate you filling out the short evaluation form. View it using the below button.

How do you look at your organization or community? Do you see the things that are going well or are you focused on the problems? The lens we use not only impacts our thoughts but, also of those who view us as leaders. Join us to discuss the difference between asset- and deficit-based leadership.

Jody Horntvedt, leadership and civic engagement educator, will discuss the difference between asset- and deficit-based leadership. This session will focus on considering our personal mindset, whether "fixed" or "open", and applying that to how we lead in community groups, organizations, and in our workplace.

Asset-based leadership is learning to shift from looking for what is wrong, and instead focusing on the potential we can find in most situations. We'll offer tools and tips for modeling asset-based approaches and suggestions for growing open mindsets in those you lead.

Presenter(s)

Jody Horntvedt
Educator
University of Minnesota Extension

Available on-demand

This webinar is available on-demand. Although you do not need to register, we appreciate you filling out the short evaluation form. View it using the below button.

People have a variety of options when it comes to organizations to be involved in or events to support. How do you keep them involved in your organization, community or event? This session highlights ways to nurture and support existing volunteers in community groups, organizations and events to encourage them and maximize their contributions.

Jody Horntvedt, leadership and civic engagement Extension educator, will share strategies for retaining volunteers. She will discuss giving attention to two important functions (task and maintenance) when retaining volunteers; focusing on strengthening social capital (efficacy, trust and engagement) when working with volunteers; and motivating volunteers by encouraging autonomy, mastery and purpose during this webinar.

Presenter(s)

Jody Horntvedt
Educator
University of Minnesota Extension

Available on-demand

This webinar is available on-demand. Although you do not need to register, we appreciate you filling out the short evaluation form. View it using the below button.

Every organization and community has that core group of volunteers that step forward whenever needed. How do you keep that group energized? How do you make others want to be a part of that group? Leadership and civic engagement educator, Jody Horntvedt, will highlight ways to encourage and inspire volunteers in community groups, organizations and events to maximize their contributions and make them the best they can be!

During this webinar we'll offer tools you can use for renewing volunteers as you:

Available on-demand

Community leaders are put in the position of knowing about a variety of topics that will impact the vitality of their area. This includes not only understanding the people who are in that community but, also the economics of the community. However, not many of us are community economics professionals, so how can we contribute?

This webinar will help you understand the difference between community economics and community development. You will also gain insight into frameworks that can be useful for you when working in your community.